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Home My WebLink About1996-10-28 MN DNR Ltr to Planner • '~ • " r , of MINA/ y , Minnesota Department of Natural Resources rn to -o - o 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, Minnesota 55155-40 ° F■ANRP" RECEIVED NOV 1 1996 28 October 1996 Scott Richards, City Planner City of Oak Park Heights/Northwest Associated Consultants, Inc. 5775 Wayzata Boulevard, Suite 555 St. Louis Park, MN 55416 RE: NRTF #019 -96 -6, NSP Easement Overland Trail Dear Scott, Thank you for submitting an application for funding through the National Recreation Trails Fund (NRTF) Program. I regret to inform you that your application to develop and enhance a recreation trail linkage on City property within NSP utility easement was not selected for funding this year. For your information, project selection followed a three step process. - - First, Department of Natural Resources personnel evaluated all the proposals and placed each in one of three categories: motorized use, non - motorized use, and mixed motorized /non - motorized use. - - Second, consistent with federal guidelines for this program, the board of directors of the Minnesota Recreation Trail Users Association (MRTUA) used this list to develop a recommended package that provided recreational opportunities for all of the uses recognized within the federally sponsored legislation: hiking, biking, horseback riding, skiing, snowmobiling, 4x4 trucking, off -road motorcycling, and all- terrain vehicles. - - Third, the DNR took the MRTUA recommendations in consideration in developing the final funding package that will be submitted to Washington. Although your project was not selected for funding this year, you are to be congratulated for your willingness to advance it. More and more, trails are a part of what we refer to as the "quality of life" here in Minnesota. For your information, we are beginning to solicit for the 1997 NRTF grants as well as for the Cooperative Trail Grant and the Regional Trail Initiative Grant. I have enclosed information on all three with this letter. If you have any questions, please contact myself at (612) 296 -6048. Once again, thank you for your continuing interest in trails. Sincerely, C161- Dan Collins, Recreation Supervisor DNR/Trails and Waterways Division enclosure: NRTF 1997 Info Sheet and Pre - application, Coop Trail Grant 1997 Info Sheet, Regional Trail Initiative 1997 Info Sheet DNR Information: 612 - 296 -6157, 1- 800 - 766 -6000 • TTY: 612 - 296 -5484, 1- 800 - 657 -3929 An Equal Opportunity Employer 4 Primed on Recycled Paper Containing a Who Values Diversity to Minimum of 10% Post - Consumer Waste NATIONAECREATION TRAIL FUND QOGRAM Information Sheet October 14, 1996 Deadlines/ To receive an application, sponsors must submit an Application Request Form no later that January 31, Important Dates: 1997. The complete application is due on March 31, 1997 to be eligible for this funding cycle. Reimbursement grant awards will be announced in the Fall 1997. Program The Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act of 1991 (ISTEA) created a program administered by Introduction: the Federal Highway Administration to provide financial assistance for the development and maintenance of recreational trails and trail- related projects. Funds are derived from the Federal Highway Trust Fund and represent gasoline tax revenues attributable to off -road recreational fuel use. Approximately $250,000 is available to Minnesota for reimbursing projects authorized in 1996. Eligible Motorized and non - motorized trail projects are eligible for funding. Activities: - Construction of new trails on federal (with limitations), state, county, municipal or private lands. - Development of urban trail linkages near homes and workplaces. - Maintenance of existing recreational trails, including snow grooming and maintenance. - Restoration of areas damage «by recreational trail use. - Development of trail -side and trail -head facilities (e.g., drainage, crossings, stabilization, parking signage, controls, shelters, and water, sanitary & access facilities). - Provision of features that facilitate access and use of trails by persons with disabilities. -Land acquisition from willing sellers when consistent with the State Trail Plan. - Environmental awareness and safety education programs relating to the use of recreational trails Non - eligible - Condemnation of any kind of interest in property. Activities: - Construction of trails within federally designated wilderness areas (with some exceptions). - Upgrading, expanding, or otherwise facilitating motorized use or access to trails predominantly used by non - motorized trail users on which motorized use is either prohibited or has not occurred. How it Works: All projects must be sponsored by a unit of government, preferably in cooperation with a local trail organization. Pre - applications and applications will be reviewed by the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and the state's trail advisory council, the Minnesota Recreational Trail Users Association (MRTUA). With consideration given to MRTUA's recommendation, the DNR will make the final selection decision. If selected, the recipient will enter into a contract with the State of Minnesota. Procedures for reimbursement will be guided by State requirements as well as those by the Federal Highway Administration. The DNR will only reimburse work that takes place after completion of the contract (i.e.,nothing completed before the contract will be reimbursed). Local Match: Fifty percent (50 %) "hard match" for eligible elements of the project proposal. Neither this funding source nor the "hard match" can be used for in -house labor services and/or to meet existing payroll (i.e., only contract services, materials and supplies are reimbursable). Matching funds must not be from other federal sources or from the DNR's Grant -In -Aid Trail Assistance Program. Size of Project / Project proposals must result in at least $5,000 of reimbursement or no more than $50,000 of $$ Available reimbursement. Project Funded projects will need to begin promptly after an agreement has been completed between the State and Period: the applicant. Funding for these projects is only available through December 31, 2000. All components of the project must be completed by this date. Disbursement This is a reimbursement program. Costs must be incurred and paid for before reimbursement can take of Funds: place. Contact: Dan Collins, Supervisor Recreation Services Section PHONE: 612/296 -6048 DNR/Trails and Waterways Unit FAX: 612/297 -5475 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155 -4052 See reverse side for regional contacts. Regional Contacts Northwestern esota • Ardon Belcher, . gional Supervisor DNR/Trails and Waterways Unit 2115 Birchmont Beach Road N.E. Bemidji, MN 56601 (218) 755 -2265 Northeastern Minnesota Les 011ila, Regional Supervisor DNR/Trails and Waterways Unit 1201 East Hwy. 2 Grand Rapids, NM 55744 (218) 327-4263 Central Minnesota Tim Browning, Regional Supervisor DNR/Trails and Waterways Unit 1601 Minnesota Drive Brainerd, MN 56401 (218) 828 -2693 Southwestern Minnesota Dave Wolff, Regional Supervisor DNR/Trails and Waterways Unit Box 756 Hwy. 15 South New Ulm, MN 56073 (507) 359 -6068 Southeastern Minnesota Craig Mitchell, Regional Supervisor DNR/Trails and Waterways Unit 2300 Silver Creek Rd. N.E. Rochester, MN 55906 (507) 285 -7176 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area William Johnson, Regional Supervisor DNR/Trails and Waterways Unit 1200 Warner Road St. Paul, MN 55106 (612) 772-7936 • • • REGIONAL TRAIL INITIATIVE GRANT PROGRAM Information Sheet October 7, 1996 Deadlines/ Important To receive an application, please submit an Application Request Form. The Dates: Application Request Form must be submitted no later that January 31, 1997. The complete application is due on March 31, 1997 to be eligible for this funding cycle. Reimbursement grant awards will be announced in September 1997. Program Purpose: To promote local development of trails and encourage utilization of federal "ISTEA Enhancement" funds. No less than 60% of the funds would be directed to regionally significant trails, no more than 40% of the funds would be directed to trails within/between communities. Priority would be given to ISTEA Enhancement projects. How it works: Provides reimbursement grants to local units of government for trail development. Eligible Applicants: Cities, counties, townships and recognized Indian tribal governments. Minimum Requirements: Eligible Projects: Land acquisition and trail development. However, acquisition of trail right -of -way will only be eligible when it is proposed in conjunction with trail development. Reimbursement Grant A maximum of fifty percent of the total eligible project costs. Minimum- $5,000. Amount: Maximum- $250,000. Local Match: 50% "hard match" for eligible elements of the project proposal. Neither this funding source nor the "hard match" can be used for labor services and/or to meet exisiting payroll (i.e., only contract services, materials, and supplies are reimbursable). Matcj must not be state funds or Metropolitan Council Grants. Project Period: Funded projects will need to begin promptly after an agreement has been completed between the State and the applicant. Funding for these projects is only available through December 31, 2000. All components of the project must be completed by this date. Approving Authority: Department of Natural Resources. Disbursement of funds: Grants are reimburseable. Costs must be incurred and paid for before reimbursement can take place. Contact: Dan Collins, Supervisor Recreation Services Section Trails and Waterways Unit Department of Natural Resources 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155 -4052 PHONE: 612/296 -6048 FAX: 612/297 -5475 • Regional Contacts for the Regional Trail Initiative Grant Program: Northwestern Minnesota Ardon Belcher, Regional Supervisor DNR/Trails and Waterways Unit 2115 Birchmont Beach Road N.E. Bemidji, MN 56601 218/755 -2265 Northeastern Minnesota Les 011ila, Regional Supervisor DNR/Trails and Waterways Unit 1201 East Highway 2 Grand Rapids, MN 55744 218/828 -2693 Central Minnesota Tim Browning, Regional Supervisor DNR/Trails and Waterways Unit Box 756 Highway 15 South New Ulm, MN 56073 507/359 -6068 Southeastern Minnesota Craig Mitchell, Regional Supervisor DNR/Trails and Waterways Unit 2300 Silver Creek Road N.E. Rochester, MN 55906 507/285 -7176 Twin Cities Metropolitan Area William Johnson, Regional Supervisor DNR/Trails and Waterways Unit 1200 Warner Road St. Paul, MN 55106 612/772 -7936 • COOPSATIVE TRAIL GRANT PRO.AM Information Sheet October 14, 1996 Deadlines/ To receive an application, sponsors must submit an Application Request Form no later than January 31, Important Dates: 1997. The complete application is due on March 31, 1997 to be eligible for this funding cycle. Reimbursement grant awards will be announced in August 1997. Program purpose: The emphasis of this program is to promote trail access between people and desirable destinations, not to develop significant new recreation facilities. Its primary purpose is to complete trail connections or remove barriers to use between where people live (e.g., residential areas within cities, and communities) and significant public recreation facilities (e.g., parks and other trails). Priority will be given to residential connections to state and regional facilities. A secondarily purpose is to link existing trail segments. How it works: This program provides reimbursement grants to local units of government for trail development or serves as a partial local "match" for ISTEA trail Enhancement projects. Eligible applicants: Cities, counties, and townships. Minimum Project must result in a trail linkage that is immediately available for use by the general public. There Requirements: must be demonstrated compatibility of the uses provided by the project proposal with uses provided by the recreation facility. Local /area support must be demonstrated. Eligible projects: Land acquisition and trail development. However, acquisition of trail right -of -way will only be eligible when it is proposed in conjunction with trail development. Reimbursement A maximum of fifty percent of the total eligible project costs. Minimum - $5,000. Maximum - $50,000. Grant Amount: Local match: 50% "hard match" for eligible elements of the project proposal. Neither this funding source nor the "hard match" can be used for labor services and/or to meet existing payroll (i.e., only contract services, materials and supplies are reimbursable). Match must not be state funds or Metropolitan Council Grants. Project period: Funded projects will need to begin promptly after an agreement as been completed between the State and the applicant. Funding for these projects is only available through December 31, 1999. Disbursement of funds: Grants are reimbursable. Costs must be incurred and paid for before reimbursement can take place. Submit Application Recreation Service4 Seeiioii Request Forms to: Trails and Waterways Unit Department of Natural Resources 500 Lafayette Road St. Paul, MN 55155 -4052 Contacts: Dan Collins Statewide 612/296 -6048 Ardon Belcher Northwestern MN 218/755 -2265 Les 011ila Northeastern MN 218/327 -4263 Tim Browning Central MN 218/828 -2693 Craig Mitchell Southeasten MN 507/285 -7176 Dave Wolff Southwestern MN 507/359 -6068 William Johnson Twin Cities Metro Area 612/772 -7936